Bartlett quarterback AJ Bilyeu is ready to lead the Hawks again this season.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Bartlett will be looking to Air Force-bound quarterback AJ Bilyeum, back, for leadership this season.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Bartlett's Nick Mazzei fends off the defense during varsity football practice on Thursday, August 18.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Bartlett varsity football coach Tom Meaney wraps up practice on Thursday, August 18.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Bartlett varsity football practice on Thursday, August 18.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Ian Dobek kicks a field goal during practice for the Bartlett varsity football team on Thursday, August 18.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Thomas Pineda eats three pieces of watermelon at once after practice on Thursday, August 18. Thirty watermelons were cut up by Booster moms for the teams to celebrate the last day of doubles practice. It has been a tradition since the school opened.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Vinny Caruso chomps on watermelon before his helmet slips down onto his head after practice for the Bartlett varsity football team on Thursday, August 18. 30 watermelons were cut up by Boosters moms for the teams to celebrate the last day of doubles practice. It has been a tradition since the school opened.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Bartlett varsity football practice on Thursday, August 18.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Bartlett's Lorenzo Mitchell during varsity football practice on Thursday, August 18.

Bartlett coach Tom Meaney believes this year's experienced, talented team compares to his 2008 squad, which won 12 straight games and advanced to a Class 8A semifinal before falling to eventual champion Maine South.

"They could be just as good, they definitely could," Meaney said of the 2011 Hawks, who are coming off an 8-3 season in which they shared the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division title with Waubonsie Valley. "Anytime you have four linebackers back, five really, you're fairly solid up front and you have quick defensive backs like we have, you have a strong group."

And that's just the defense.

Bartlett's roster includes five players entering their third varsity season: linebackers Mike Partyka (6-2, 220) and Kevin Kirchhoff (5-10, 225), defensive end Ryan McCord (6-0, 225) quarterback AJ Bilyeu (6-3, 185) and wide receiver Zach Karys (6-0, 180). Partyka and Kirchhoff were named to the all-UEC Valley team, as were Bilyeu and Karys, who connected 35 times for 778 yards.

The fleet-footed Bilyeu, who committed to Air Force over the summer, is the first quarterback in the 13-year-old program's history to play the position for three seasons. Last year he completed 101 of 157 passes for 1,437 yard and 19 touchdowns.

"At times in camp he looks awesome," Meaney said. "Now it's just time for him to calm down and find the wide-open person. He has such a strong arm and likes to throw deep instead of underneath sometimes.

"Because he's already played for two years, he got a lot of his bad traits out of the way. He's making good decisions. I'm pleased with his progress."

Tight end Lorenzo Mitchell (6-3, 230) played two varsity seasons at Streamwood. Also seeing time at the position will by juniors Nick Mazzei (5-11, 215) and Kevin Pashawitz (6-1, 175).

Defensively, outside linebackers Tyler Hess (5-9, 185) and Tyler Barlass (6-1, 210) and inside linebacker Demetrius Coleman (6-0, 210) each started at least four games last year. Junior Vince Caruso (5-9, 170) and Kevin Krause (5-11, 170) will also be in the rotation.

At defensive tackle will be seniors Brian McKeague (5-10, 200) and James Chang (5-10, 205) and junior Nick Selig (5-10, 160). Juniors Edgar Flores (5-9, 205) and Arthur Swanson (5-9, 185) will also see the field.

Joining McCord at defensive end are prospect Will Spoerl (6-4, 205), whose father played football at the University of Michigan, and Chris Kantzavelos (6-3, 230). Spoerl started a playoff game against Maine South as a sophomore. Mitchell and Fremd transfer Andrew Guerrero (6-2, 215) will rotate in.